Computer system configured to generate an engineering work-flow, said system comprising a first database which stores a library of engineering patterns and a second database which stores a library of engineering tool functions of an engineering tool, wherein a sequence of automatically concatenated workflow steps forming said engineering workflow is generated by mapping for each workflow step a selected engineering pattern to a selected tool function of said engineering tool.
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1. Computer system configured to generate an engineering workflow and ensure consistency between engineering tools and a workflow utilizing the engineering tools, the computer system comprising: at least one processor, at least one storage device storing: a first database which stores a library of engineering patterns, a second database which stores a library of engineering tool functions of an engineering tool, and at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by the at least one processor to: generate and display, via a display device, a mapping matrix including: (a) a plurality of engineering pattern categories, each including a set of predetermined engineering patterns stored in said first database, (b) a plurality of tool function categories, each including a set of predetermined tool functions stored in said second database, and (c) an array of matrix intersections between respective engineering pattern categories and respective tool function categories; and (d) an input matrix field at each matrix intersection, thereby defining an array of input matrix fields, wherein each input matrix field provides an interface to simultaneously (i) map a selected engineering function to a selected engineering tool function, wherein each mapping between a particular engineering pattern and a particular engineering tool function defines a workflow step, and (ii) specify a respective position of the defined workflow step with respect to a sequence of workflow steps; receive via the user interface, a user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator at each of a selected plurality of input matrix fields in the array of input matrix fields of the displayed mapping matrix, wherein the user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator at each selected input matrix field functions both; (a) defines a user-defined workflow step based on the respective engineering pattern with the respective engineering tool function, the user-defined workflow step corresponding to a task having one or more persons assigned to that task; and (b) defines a user-specified position of the defined workflow step with respect to a sequence of user-defined workflow steps; based on the received user input: automatically generate an engineering workflow by: generating a user-defined workflow step corresponding with each of the plurality of user-selected input matrix fields; concatenating the plurality of user-defined workflow steps according to the user-specified workflow step sequence indicators input into each selected input matrix field; and storing the engineering workflow in the at least one storage device; and display, via the display device, a visual representation of the engineering workflow including: (a) a visual representation of each of the plurality of user-defined workflow steps; and (b) for each workflow step, a visual representation of a relationship between the respective engineering pattern and engineering tool function that define that workflow step; and facilitate execution of the engineering workflow by: automatically retrieving the engineering workflow from the at least one storage device; and for at least one workflow step, automatically adjusting or customizing an engineering tool corresponding to the respective workflow step to perform the engineering tool function specified by the engineering workflow for the respective workflow step.
A computer system creates engineering workflows by mapping engineering patterns to engineering tool functions. It includes two databases: one stores engineering patterns, and the other stores tool functions. The system displays a matrix where engineering pattern categories intersect with tool function categories. Users can map patterns to functions at these intersections, defining individual workflow steps and their sequence. The system then automatically generates the complete workflow by concatenating these steps according to the user-defined order. Finally, the system displays a visual representation of the workflow, showing the relationship between patterns and tools for each step, and automatically customizes engineering tools based on the specified functions in the workflow to facilitate execution.
2. The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein the user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator input at each selected input matrix field is a sequence number of a respective workflow.
The computer system described above allows the user to specify the order of workflow steps by inputting a sequence number at each selected intersection in the matrix, defining the order in which each workflow step will be executed. This sequence number determines the workflow order and ensures that steps are performed in the correct order.
3. The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein each concatenated workflow step of the generated engineering workflow is configured to control a corresponding task of a process.
The computer system described above generates an engineering workflow where each step in the workflow controls a corresponding task within a larger engineering process. This means that each individual workflow step is directly responsible for managing and executing a specific activity or task within the overall process being automated.
4. The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein said mapping matrix is a configurable matrix loaded from a memory of said computer system.
The mapping matrix used in the computer system described above, which displays engineering pattern categories intersecting with tool function categories, is configurable and loaded from the computer system's memory. This allows for dynamic updates and modifications to the available engineering patterns and tool functions, allowing the workflow generation process to be tailored to different domains.
5. The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein an associated mapping matrix is provided for each of a plurality of root objects of a domain.
The computer system described above provides a separate mapping matrix for each "root object" of a domain. A root object represents a primary entity or concept in a particular engineering domain (e.g., a project, a component, a system). Therefore, each major component or entity has its own unique mapping matrix, allowing workflows specific to each object to be defined and managed.
6. A method for generating an engineering workflow and ensuring consistency between engineering tools and a workflow utilizing the engineering tools, the method comprising a processor executing computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer-readable media for: generating and displaying, via a display device, a mapping matrix including: (a) a plurality of engineering pattern categories, each including a set of predetermined engineering patterns stored in said first database, (b) a plurality of tool function categories, each including a set of predetermined tool functions stored in said second database, and (c) an array of matrix intersections between respective engineering pattern categories and respective tool function categories; and (d) an input matrix field at each matrix intersection, thereby defining an array of input matrix fields, wherein each input matrix field provides an interface to simultaneously (i) map a selected engineering function to a selected engineering tool function, wherein each mapping between a particular engineering pattern and a particular engineering tool function defines a workflow step, and (ii) specify a respective position of the defined workflow step with respect to a sequence of workflow steps; receiving via the user interface, a user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator at each of a selected plurality of input matrix fields in the array of input matrix fields of the displayed mapping matrix, wherein the user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator at each selected input matrix field functions both; (a) defines a user-defined workflow step based on the respective engineering pattern with the respective engineering tool function, the user-defined workflow step corresponding to a task having one or more persons assigned to that task; and (b) defines a user-specified position of the defined workflow step with respect to a sequence of user-defined workflow steps; based on the received user input: automatically generating an engineering workflow by: generating a user-defined workflow step corresponding with each of the plurality of user-selected input matrix fields; and concatenating the plurality of user-defined workflow steps according to the user-specified workflow step sequence indicators input into each selected input matrix field; storing the engineering workflow in the at least one storage device; and displaying, via the display device, a visual representation of the engineering workflow including: (a) a visual representation of each of the plurality of user-defined workflow steps; and (b) for each workflow step, a visual representation of a relationship between the respective engineering pattern and engineering tool function that define that workflow step; and facilitating execution of the engineering workflow by: automatically retrieving the engineering workflow from the at least one storage device; and for at least one workflow step, automatically adjusting or customizing an engineering tool corresponding to the respective workflow step to perform the engineering tool function specified by the engineering workflow for the respective workflow step.
A method implemented on a computer system generates engineering workflows by mapping engineering patterns to engineering tool functions, ensuring consistency between engineering tools and the workflow. The method displays a matrix where engineering pattern categories intersect with tool function categories. Users map patterns to functions, defining workflow steps and their sequence. The system automatically generates the complete workflow by concatenating these steps according to user-defined order, and stores the workflow. Finally, the system displays a visual representation of the workflow showing the relationship between patterns and tools for each step and automatically adjusts or customizes engineering tools based on the specified functions in the workflow, to facilitate execution.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator input at each selected input matrix field is a sequence number of a respective workflow.
The method described above for generating engineering workflows, allows users to specify the order of workflow steps by inputting a sequence number at each selected intersection in the matrix. This sequence number then dictates the order in which each workflow step is executed within the generated workflow.
8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein each concatenated workflow step of the generated engineering workflow controls a corresponding task of a process.
The method described above for generating engineering workflows results in each step of the generated workflow controlling a corresponding task within a larger engineering process. This means that each individual workflow step is directly responsible for managing and executing a specific activity or task within the overall process.
9. Computer instructions stored in non-transitory computer-readable media and executable by a processor to generate an engineering workflow and ensure consistency between engineering tools and a workflow utilizing the engineering tools by: generating and displaying, via a display device, a mapping matrix including: (a) a plurality of engineering pattern categories, each including a set of predetermined engineering patterns stored in said first database, (b) a plurality of tool function categories, each including a set of predetermined tool functions stored in said second database, and (c) an array of matrix intersections between respective engineering pattern categories and respective tool function categories; and (d) an input matrix field at each matrix intersection, thereby defining an array of input matrix fields, wherein each input matrix field provides an interface to simultaneously (i) map a selected engineering function to a selected engineering tool function, wherein each mapping between a particular engineering pattern and a particular engineering tool function defines a workflow step, and (ii) specify a respective position of the defined workflow step with respect to a sequence of workflow steps; receiving via the user interface, a user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator at each of a selected plurality of input matrix fields in the array of input matrix fields of the displayed mapping matrix, wherein the user-specified workflow step sequence order indicator at each selected input matrix field functions both; (a) defines a user-defined workflow step based on the respective engineering pattern with the respective engineering tool function, the user-defined workflow step corresponding to a task having one or more persons assigned to that task; and (b) defines a user-specified position of the defined workflow step with respect to a sequence of user-defined workflow steps; based on the received user input: automatically generating an engineering workflow by: generating a user-defined workflow step corresponding with each of the plurality of user-selected input matrix fields; concatenating the plurality of user-defined workflow steps according to the user-specified workflow step sequence indicators input into each selected input matrix field; and storing the engineering workflow in the at least one storage device; and facilitating execution of the engineering workflow by: automatically retrieving the engineering workflow from the at least one storage device; and for at least one workflow step, automatically adjusting or customizing an engineering tool corresponding to the respective workflow step to perform the engineering tool function specified by the engineering workflow for the respective workflow step.
Computer instructions, stored on a computer-readable medium, enable a computer to generate engineering workflows by mapping engineering patterns to engineering tool functions. The instructions cause the computer to display a matrix where engineering pattern categories intersect with tool function categories, allowing users to map patterns to functions to define workflow steps and their sequence. The system automatically generates the complete workflow by concatenating these steps and facilitates execution by automatically adjusting or customizing engineering tools based on the specified functions in the workflow, ensuring consistency between tools and the workflow.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 4, 2013
March 21, 2017
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